Meppel

Meppel, the southernmost city in Drenthe with about 32,000 inhabitants, is a charming water-centred city that serves as the region's harbour gateway. It boasts the only proper harbour in the entire province of Drenthe — officially the most land-inward harbour in the Netherlands and the largest in the Northern Netherlands. Surrounded by waterways and situated in the Reestdal valley, Meppel offers a surprisingly diverse mix of harbour industry, rural landscapes, and a cosy city centre excellent for shopping.

The city grew significantly during the Dutch Golden Age (17th century) by trading in peat. As a hub of waterways, Meppel became the wealthiest and most important city in Drenthe at the time, profiting solely from trade rather than a mix of trade and agriculture. It gained city rights in 1644. Many historic storehouses where peat was stored still line the canals, reminders of this prosperous era. Locals are occasionally called Meppeler muggen (Mosquitoes of Meppel), originating from folklore about a church tower thought to be on fire but actually covered by a gigantic swarm of mosquitoes.

By Plane

Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ IATA) is about 40 minutes' drive north. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS IATA) is about 1.5 hours by train via Zwolle.

By Train

Meppel railway station is served by Intercity and Sprinter trains connecting north to Leeuwarden and Groningen and south to Zwolle, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Den Haag, and Hoofddorp. It is a key junction on the line from the Randstad to the northern provinces.

By Car / Road

Meppel is located at the intersection of the A28/E232 (Utrecht–Groningen) and A32 motorways. The A28 connects directly to Zwolle (15 min), Amersfoort, and Utrecht, as well as Hoogeveen and Groningen. The A32 connects to the A7 and A31 toward the Afsluitdijk and North Holland.

The city centre is compact and easily explored on foot, with canals, moats, and bridges creating a picturesque walking environment. Cycling is excellent for exploring the surrounding Reestdal valley. The train station is within walking distance of the centre.

• Historic City Centre — Characteristic streets, moats, squares, and windmills. The old storehouses (pakhuizen) along the canals are reminders of Meppel's peat-trading heyday.

• De Drie Kalkovens (The Three Old Limekilns) — Historic peat-fired limekilns, renovated and partially turned into a restaurant.

• Drukkerijmuseum (Printing Museum) (Kleine Oever 11, +31 522 242 565) — A museum dedicated to the art of printing, housed in a historic building.

• The Moats of Meppel — Several remaining moats from the city's former defensive works.

• Grachtenfestival — An annual canal festival celebrating Meppel's water heritage with music, boats, and festivities.

• Donderdag Meppeldagen — Weekly Thursday events in the city centre during summer, featuring shopping, entertainment, and activities.

• Walking and cycling in the surrounding Reestdal scenic landscape.

• De Tipbrug (Prinsengracht 8, +31 522 263324) — Canalside dining, open W–Su 16:00–24:00.
• De Nachtwacht (Groenmarkt 13, +31 522 247340) — Restaurant open W–M from 16:00.
• De Bourgondier (Kerkplein 19-20, +31 522 243377) — Tu–Sa from 11:00, Su from 14:00.
• Ton Nam Thai (Woldstraat 67a, +31 522 859867) — Authentic Thai food, Tu–Su 16:00–22:00.

Meppel has several cosy cafés and bars along its historic streets and canals, particularly around the market square and Kerkplein.

• Mid-range: De Poort van Drenthe (Parallelweg 25, opposite the train station, +31 522 251080) / City Hotel Meppel (Dirk Jakobsstraat 6, +31 522 745420).
• Budget: Meppel's Inn (Leonard Springerlaan 14, +31 522 251706).
• Upscale: De Havixhorst (Schiphorsterweg 34-36, De Schiphorst, +31 522 441487) — A countryside hotel just outside Meppel.

The city centre offers a large diversity of shops. The Hoofdstraat features many large chain stores, while the Woldstraat is home to small boutiques and specialty shops. The combination of historic character and modern retail makes Meppel a popular shopping destination in southern Drenthe.

• Giethoorn (20 min by car) — The famous "Venice of the North," a village with canals instead of roads.
• Zwolle (15 min by train) — Historic Hanseatic city with a beautiful city centre.
• Staphorst (10 min by car) — A village known for traditional clothing and high religious observance.
• Dwingelderveld National Park (20 min by car) — The largest wet heathland in Western Europe.
• Leeuwarden (45 min by train) — The capital of Friesland and a European Capital of Culture (2018).